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Special Report: Nyachae Returns to Familiar Ground
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- Published on Tuesday, 17 July 2007 23:47
The Kisii have been out of government for the past 18 months, an unfamiliar position for them. Since independence they have always been represented at the highest level of government.
The fact that President Kibaki has not visited the area since coming to power in 2002, had given locals reason to feel neglected.
The appointment of Nyachae and his close ally, Mr Henry Obwocha, as well as the promotion of Teacher's Service Commission (TSC) chief James Ongwae to permanent secretary is telling.
Since losing the presidential elections, Mr Nyachae seemed an unhappy man as he was unable to fulfil the promises he had made to his community.
He was hard put to explain to his supporters how he could serve their interests from the opposition.
It was due to this pressure that he called a leaders' meeting at the Gusii Institute of Technology last October to assure the restless community that all was well.
Mr Nyachae's critics, among them former Cabinet colleague Prof Sam Ongeri, have been exerting pressure on him to lead the community to claiming its rightful share in government.
On several occasions he was forced to take sides with President Kibaki's government saying, "we cannot work and succeed in a vacuum".
His appointment elicited mixed reactions from his supporters and critics.
Civic leaders, led by Kisii Mayor Samuel Nyangeso and Keroka town council chairman Francis Ogeto, hailed President Kibaki's gesture saying the community had been in the cold for far too long.
But critics among them Prof Ongeri said the appointment was inconsequential.
"The appointment could have had a strong appeal to the community if at least two MPs were appointed to the Cabinet and four Assistant Ministers.
But West Mugirango MP Henry Obwocha brushed aside the criticism.
"Our inclusion confirms that President Kibaki fully recognises Kisiis and respects them," said Mr Obwocha, who was appointed as an assistant minister for Finance.
However, some Ford People MPs have recently been openly warming up to the LDP. One of them, South Mugirango's Omingo Magara, is said to be quite close to Roads minister Raila Odinga.
Among the thorny issues Mr Nyachae will be expected to solve include impassable roads, insecurity, a market for Kisii farm products such as bananas and key government jobs, bearing in mind that the community has only two permanent secretaries; James Ongwae (Agriculture) and Zachary Ogongo (Local Government).
Mr Nyachae's supporter are now asking what will happen with his presidential ambitions. Will he use his ministerial position to solidify his campaign or remain loyal to his master until the next General Election?
Will he have to resign again and contest given that Ministers remain in office until a new government takes over? Will he still be using his Ford People coloured chopper to attend government functions and at what point will his audience differentiate his ministerial engagements from those of his Ford People party.
Those are issues Mr Nyachae will have to address as he settles down in the Government, where he has been for the better part of his life.
